The main Orthodox holiday in February is Candlemas: important prohibitions and omens
Candlemas of the Lord is one of the twelve Orthodox holidays, established in memory of the bringing of the infant Jesus Christ to the Jerusalem Temple. It is celebrated annually on February 15, the 40th day after Christmas. On this day, believers attend divine services, read special prayers and observe church traditions. For more information, see the Izvestia article.
Candlemas of the Lord: the history and significance of the holiday
Candlemas of the Lord is a holiday established in memory of how the Most Holy Theotokos brought the Infant Jesus to the temple. The Virgin Mary did this on the fortieth day after Christmas in order to make the sacrifice required by law and dedicate the firstborn to God.
In the temple, the baby was met by the righteous elder Simeon, one of the seventy translators of the Pentateuch from Hebrew into Greek. The God-receiver took the baby in his arms, blessed him, and prophesied of the Savior: "Now, O Master, let Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word.: For my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all men: a light for the revelation of the tongue, and the glory of thy people Israel."
The holiday is one of the twelve—day celebrations - the 12 main church celebrations of the year — and is celebrated annually on February 15 (February 2, old style).
For believers, this day symbolizes the meeting of man with God, the fulfillment of ancient promises about the Savior and a reminder of the Lord's faithfulness to his promises. In folk tradition, Candlemas is also perceived as the boundary between winter and spring, which is reflected in weather signs and customs associated with the holiday.
What prayers are read on Candlemas?
In the church tradition, the main prayers of the holiday are considered to be the troparion and kontakion of the Presentation of the Lord, which are performed at the divine service on February 15. Believers also read them at home, turning to Christ and the Mother of God with a request for the light of faith, the preservation of peace in the soul and the granting of help in life circumstances.
In addition to the liturgical texts, petitions for happiness, well-being, healing, and protection from adversity are distributed on this day, which believers offer to the Lord and the Most Holy Theotokos. It is believed that sincere prayer for Candlemas helps to strengthen faith, find a way out of difficult situations and find inner peace.
Many clergymen emphasize that it is useful to begin prayer on this day with words of gratitude to God for the mercies already bestowed, and then ask for what especially worries the heart.
Troparion of the Presentation of the Lord
"Hail, Blessed Virgin Mother of God, for the Sun of Righteousness has risen from Thee—Christ our God, enlightening those who are in darkness. Rejoice, O righteous elder, who art received into the arms of the Liberator of our souls, who giveth us resurrection.
Rejoice, blessed Virgin Mother of God, for out of You has shone the Sun of righteousness, Christ our God, who enlightens those who are in darkness. Rejoice, too, you righteous elder, who have embraced the Liberator of our souls, who grants us resurrection."
Kontakion of the Presentation of the Lord
"Having sanctified the virgin's womb with Thy Nativity and blessed the hand of Simeon, as it should have been, having preceded us, and now, O Christ God, save us, but die in our warfare and strengthen the people whom thou hast loved, O Only Lover of mankind.
You sanctified the Virgin's womb with Your birth, and blessed Simeon's hands beforehand, as it should have been, and now You have saved us, O Christ God. But protect Your people with peace in the midst of wars and strengthen those whom You have loved, O One Lover of mankind."
Prayer of thanks to the Lord
"Our Lord God, we bow before You in words of gratitude! You are our Father, the Creator of all living things, and we are Your slaves! We say thank You for all the generous gifts that You bring to our lives! You are our strength, You are our support, You are the will and the unshakable spirit in us! Thank You for the food that You give us every day, thank you for protecting us from enemies and misfortunes! Thank you, Lord, for giving us life and for staying with us, helping us through the difficult days of our lives!
Forgive us for our sins, cleanse our hearts from hatred, preserve the purity of our souls and do not let us lose our strength so that we may follow the spiritual path until the end of our worldly days! You alone, Lord, are able to protect us from all troubles and give us a better life in eternity! Thank You, God, for the family that supports us on earth, for the faithful friends and for all the blessings that You have given us on this earth! We will praise You forever! You are our heart, You are our love! Accept my sincere words of gratitude and never leave us, our Father! Amen. Amen. Amen to that."
Prayer for happiness
"Dear Jesus Christ, I beg you for my earthly happiness. Hear my prayers on such a bright day, do not turn away from my words coming from your heart, give me and people love for each other. Teach us, Your unworthy servants, to rejoice every day, strengthen our faith and increase our love for You. Let me find happiness with Your help, so that every day will be a new continuation of a happy life. Help me understand what needs to be eliminated from my life in order to become a happy person. I ask You for wisdom in my conduct and my words. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen to that."
Folk signs on February 15th
There are many folk traditions associated with Candlemas, primarily concerning the forecast of spring. In Russia, on this day, they carefully observed the sky, snow, and animal behavior, believing that the weather on February 15 could be used to judge what the coming season would be like.
So, a clear starry sky and a hard frost in the evening promised late spring, a thaw and a drop promised early warmth, especially if the rooster was drinking water in the yard that day, fresh snow promised a long and rainy spring, and the sun, which appeared just before sunset, signaled the imminent end of severe frosts.
On this day, many people perceive such signs as part of a cultural tradition, but even now in rural areas they often pay attention to the weather, correlating their daily plans with it.
What not to do on February 15th
The Church reminds us that Candlemas is one of the great holidays, so believers are encouraged to spend this day in prayer and peace of mind, avoiding fuss and serious violations of church regulations. The restrictions associated with this date relate primarily to hard physical labor, conflict, and neglect of spiritual life.
In particular, on Candlemas day, it is not recommended to do heavy and "dirty" work, including general cleaning, laundry, gardening and heating baths, go on long trips, sweep the floor and take out the trash after sunset, put money on the kitchen table, and indulge in despondency and gloomy thoughts.
Special attention is paid to the inadmissibility of quarrels, insults and condemnation of others, which in the church tradition are considered one of the most serious violations of the holiday.
Orthodox Christians are also advised, if possible, not to miss the festive service and visit the temple to light a candle, pray and thank God. Instead of external fuss, believers are advised to devote this day to reflection on faith, reading spiritual literature and doing good deeds.
How to spend Candlemas with benefits for the soul
The meaning of Candlemas is not limited to folk traditions and omens: first of all, this holiday is seen as an opportunity for a personal "encounter" with God through prayer and participation in church sacraments. The clergy recommend planning your daily routine in advance in order to find time to visit the temple, pray quietly and communicate with your loved ones.
On this day, many believers strive to confess and receive communion at the festive liturgy, read the troparion and Candlemas at home, as well as prayers of thanksgiving, and ask for the health and well-being of the family, strengthening faith, and protection from life's trials. It is also considered important to come to terms with those with whom conflicts have previously arisen, and to avoid harsh words and condemnation.
According to the representatives of the Church, the holiday should be held in an atmosphere of silence, gratitude and trust in God, following the meaning of the evangelical event underlying it. This helps believers to perceive the church calendar not only as a system of rituals, but also as a part of a person's inner spiritual life.
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